Emergency fire escape



Dec. 14, 1937., A QRAPP 4 mmm EMERGENCY FIRE ESCAPE Filed March 27, 1956 2l Sheets-Sheet l ea. 14, 1.937. A, C. 'RAPP l2,102,484-

EMERGENCY FIRE ESCAPE FileAd March 27, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor www ` A tlorneyS By uw Patented Dec. 14, 1937 EMERGENCY FIREy ESCAPE Arnold C. Rapp, Covington, Va.

Application March 27, 1936, Serial No. '71,218

2 Claims.

aware that it is structurally old to provide col-` 10 lapsible flexible chain and step structures for the purpose of readyv emergency use and compact storage within the building when not in use.

In reducing topractice the general aims and principles of the present invention, it is my idea to generally improve upon structures in this particular category of safety ladders and fire escapes by providing an arrangement embodying a specifically new idea in the multiple chain and step coordination especially by cleverly and satisfactorily joining the steps to the depending hanger chains.

Other features and advantages of the invention may become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate the corresponding details throughout the views:

Figure 1 is an elevational view showing a portion of a conventional building or similar struc-v ture illustrating how the ladder or fire escape is hung down outwardly of the Window to facilitate ascent and descent of firemen and refugees;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view at right angles to Figure 1, the sections being substantially on the plane of the vertical line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevational view of a fragmentary character showing how the duplicate steps or tread plates are stacked one upon the other in compact relationship for indoor storage purposes;

Figures 4 and 5 are enlarged detail sections taken on the planes of the lines 4-4 and-5 5, respectively, of Figure v1; y n

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view.

Referring now to the drawings by distinguishing reference numerals, it will be observed that the building structure is denoted by the letter A, the window indicated at B, and the conventional sill at C. Y

In practice, attaching screws 1 including appropriate fastening hooks 8 are mounted on the interior of the building, as shown for example in Figure 2. These serve to accommodate the upper single strand attaching chains 9 of the respective flexible hanger chains. In other words, there (c1. 22S-4o) are two chain units and each one includes a single attaching chain 9 and a pair of depending spaced parallel ladder-formingv chains Ill. These chains are preferably made up of links l I. It will be evident, however, that it is not necessary tohave a chain constructed completely of links, for only those particular links which support the respective steps or plates are absolutely required.

.Any suitable number of tread plates may be utilized and each unit is the same in construction and comprises a horizontally disposable plate I2 whose main portion may be corrugated as indicated at I3 in Figure 5 to .guard against foot slippage. Each plate is of channel-shaped crosssectional form in transverse dimension, being open atY opposite ends and formed with spaced parallelY depending iianges It Adjacent the langesjand near the opposite ends, each plate is provided with openings I5 of a size to permit passage of the links I I therethrough to facilitate assembling. The assembling connection is made through the instrumentality of a pair of rods I6 for each step, these rods being attached at opposite ends to theend portions of the flanges I 4 and extending through opposed pairs of the links I I, as shown to advantage in Figures 4 and 5. It is evident that this is the principal structural distinction of the invention.

It is to be observed from the description and the accompanying illustrative drawings that the essence of the invention is directed to the use of suspension orvhanger chains or units wherein each unit includes the spaced parallel members Ill having especially designed plate-like steps or treads I2 attached thereto. More in particular,

' however, novelty resides in the apertured steps I2 to accommodate the links II of the respective chain members, wherein the links serve to accommodate the rods I6, the rods being riveted or otherwise fastened to the depending inner and outer anges I 4.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a cleary understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought to be unnecessary.

,While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. As a component part of a structural assemblage of the class described, a substantially rec-v portions of the Vrespective flanges'directly beneath said openings and inserted through the f links of the chain to Vsupport the plates in spaced relation on the chain, said ilanges supporting the plates in spaced relation when the plates are Vin a stacked inoperative position to enclose the chain and rods between the plates. j I

Y and'rodsV between the plates. 1

A2. A portableV collapsible re escape Vcomprisplurality of steps, each step being provided with depending flanges and connecting rods, passing throughxhe anges and the linkfto join the chains'tothe steps, said flanges supporting/the plates in spaced relation when the plates arern a stacked collapsed position to enclose VARNOLD c. RAP-P.

the chainY Ving hanger 'chainsVV including open links, and a 

